Taipei mayor says cancer housing plan to proceed

CHARITABLE:The project to provide housing for kids getting cancer treatment was resisted by those worried it could cause contagion, or worse, hurt the city’s image

By Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNA

Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin, center, yesterday visits the site for a Ronald McDonald House Charities shelter for children undergoing treatment for cancer and other critical diseases, to show his support for the project.

Photo: Chiu Shao-wen, Taipei Times

Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) yesterday said the city government would proceed with construction of a temporary housing project for children undergoing cancer treatment and that the majority of residents in the area supported the project.

The planned project in Jinan Borough (錦安) in Taipei’s Da-an District (大安) by Ronald McDonald House Charities Taiwan recently met opposition from residents in the area, some of whom posted ads around the neighborhood claiming the project would hurt the city’s image.

While visiting the borough yesterday afternoon, Hau said that as the majority of residents supported the project, the city government would continue to facilitate negotiation with those opposed to the issue and endeavor to finish the construction as soon as possible.

A similar center in Neihu District (內湖) made residents feel that it was better to give than to take, Hau said, adding that he hoped Jinan residents would feel like this as well.

Meanwhile, the city government’s Department of Health said the project’s objective was to offer lodging for children from out of town or overseas suffering from cancer or cardio-pulmonary issues that are receiving intensive treatment in Taipei.

The children who would stay in the center would be carefully evaluated by hospitals or medical centers in Taipei before being granted a place in the house, the department said.

There should be no risk of transmitting infections or disease, the department said, adding that if residents have further questions, it would be glad to hold meetings to provide further explanation.

Jinan borough warden Kung Chih-hui (龔志慧) said some may oppose the project because they do not understand the disease and were worried, adding that the borough would invite specialists to a meeting with residents.